Maitland & Knox Heritage Hotels, the Sri Lankan-owned luxury boutique group behind Galle Fort Hotel, Thotalagala, and The Warden’s House, has officially rebranded as Island Life – Sri Lanka.
Over the past decade, the group has built a reputation as a locally managed boutique chain focused on authentic, low-impact stays. Now, under the Island Life banner, it defines itself as “the custodians of the perfect Sri Lankan experience,” aiming to share the island not through a polished lens but in its raw, soulful truth.
Founder and Managing Director Amrit Rajaratnam said the rebrand introduces a lifestyle focus, with a strong emphasis on curated experiences and multi-destination itineraries. While Galle Fort Hotel, Thotalagala, and The Warden’s House remain central to the brand, Island Life is expanding its footprint to two new destinations—Hiriketiya and Kandy.
“We are thrilled to now evolve into a lifestyle brand that prioritises experiences and curation. While our iconic properties like Galle Fort Hotel, Thotalagala and The Warden’s House will continue to be at the core of the Island Life experience, our philosophy will now shift towards itineraries that are more immersive and experiential,” he said.
The group emphasizes privacy, spaciousness, and low-impact tourism, situating properties outside typical tourist zones. Island Life’s new logo features a wave and a mountain peak—symbols of coastal calm and highland adventure—encapsulating the island’s diversity.
“There has been a global shift in the mindset of travellers. In our experience this has been the same with the travellers who come to Sri Lanka too. It comes to what travellers now believe what luxury is. Travellers put far more value into the experiences that they find in a country, which is more than the amenities the hotel can give. They seek a real connection with the essence of the destination,” Rajaratnam said explaining the thought process that went into the rebranding.
The rebrand focuses on five pillars:
- Sanctuary – heritage-inspired spaces for rest and reflection
- Adventure – curated, educational outdoor experiences
- Memories – personalised moments that foster connection
- Indulgence – Sri Lankan culinary traditions in both refined and rustic settings
- Responsibility – a commitment to sustainability and local community upliftment
Island Life – Sri Lanka properties include:
- Thotalagala (Haputale): A restored 19th-century tea planter’s bungalow nestled in Sri Lanka’s central highlands, offering heritage charm, quiet luxury, and meaningful interactions. Thotalagala features 7 suites complementing gourmet experiences, guided walks, an Insta-viral infinity pool and Sri Lanka’s best high tea.
- Galle Fort Hotel (Galle): The iconic heritage property located in the heart of the UNESCO-listed Galle Fort, featuring 11 rooms, a stunning collection of artefacts and housing the Ropewalk bar, voted by Conde Nast Traveller among Sri Lanka’s best bars.
•The Warden’s House (Galge, Yala Block 5): The group’s newest offering, a boutique four-room luxe safari lodge with a private waterfront by the Menik River offering experiential, all-inclusive stays, where guests engage with nature, wildlife, and local culture—from safaris in Yala to visiting the famous sacred kataragma temple, to dodol and curd-making with villagers by the Menik River.
With the addition of Hiriketiya and Kandy, Island Life now enables seamless travel across diverse Sri Lankan regions under a single, unified brand.
“Travellers to Sri Lanka can now essentially book a tour through Sri Lanka’s different regions under one parent group, Island Life, and easily shuttle between properties to enjoy a consistent experience, thereby making planning a Sri Lanka itinerary much easier,” Shayan Kannangara, Chief Operating Officer of Island Life said.
From beaches and colonial towns to safaris and tea country, Island Life – Sri Lanka promises to deliver a holistic journey that goes beyond accommodation to capture the essence of the island itself.
